Wrench



W. J. CARPENTER. WRENCH. APPLICATION FILED APR.28. 1919.

1,386,596. Patented Aug. 9, 1921.

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w. J. CARPENTER. WRENCH.

APPLICATION FILED APILZB. I919.

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PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM J. CARPENTER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR OF ON E-HALF TO JOHN J.

i "JORDAN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

WRENCH.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 9, 1921.

Application filed April 28, 1919. Serial No. 293,229.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, lVILLIAM J. CARPEN- TER, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of the city of Chicago, county of Cook, and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in lVrenches, ofwhich the following is a specification. I

My invention relates to new and useful improvements in wrenches and has for its object the provision of a wrench which will be easily and quickly adjusted to fit various sized nuts. Y

Another object is the provision of a device of the class described, which will automatically adjust itself to fit varioussized objects with which used, and to provide automatic means of retaining said'wrench in said adjusted position.

. Other objects will appear hereinafter.

The invention consists in combinations and arrangements of parts hereinafter described and claimed.

Invention will be best understood by reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification and in which Figure 1 is a front elevation of a wrench embodying the device applied to, an object with which used,

Fig. 2 represents a side elevation of a wrench embodying the invention with parts removed.

Fig. 3 is a section taken on substantially the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. at is a detailed side elevational view of a wrench embodying the invention with parts removed.

Fig. 5 is a vertical section taken on the line 55 of Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a side elevation of a wrenchembodying the invention in a modified form. Fig. -7 is'a rear view of the wrench showing the slot and a pin passing therethrough. The; preferred form of construction, as illustrated in the drawings, comprises an elongatedstem or shank 6, having a stationary jaw 7. Embracing the upper end of the member 6 a'nd'pivotally fastened thereto by rivet 9, or'other suitable fastening means is a sleeve housing 8. Cooperating with the member 7- is a movable jaw lO having a shank 10 which is slidably mounted in ,the housing 8.

The shank 10 is provided on one side with teeth 12, which are perpendicular to the shank. On the opposite side of said shank are teeth 11 which are inclined toward the jaw 10, the teeth 11 serving as ratchet teeth as will be explained hereinafter. As shown, the housing 8 is partially circular on one side and mounted within the circular portion of the housing 8 is a flanged disk 13 provided with teeth on the periphery thereof, the same thereby forming a gear wheel or pinion, said member .18 being rotatively mounted within said housing upon a shaft 1% as clearly shown in Fig. 5. This shaft 14, or the portion of the pin 1st which serves as a shaft, is seated in hub 1 1, which projects inwardly from disk 15 which is fixedly mounted within said housing, adjacent one of the sides thereof, by means of a square pin 15 inserted in the wall of said housing, or any other suitable means of fastening. Mounted within this housing and secured to the inner side of the flanged portion of the member 13,.atone end 17 is a helical spring 16, the other end 18 of which is securely fastened to the inwardly projecting hub 1%, as clearly seen in Fig. 4.

A shaft 19 projects through the housing 8 and mounted within said housing fixedly to said shaft is a dog on pallet 21, adapted to engage with the teeth 11 on shank 10. Fixedly mounted on the shaft 19, outside of the housing 8, is a member 20, which serves as a means for releasing the member 21 from engagement with the teeth on shank 10. These members 20 and 21 being fixedly mounted on the same shaft 19, it is evident that upon the rocking of the member 20 in a direction toward shank 10, that the member 21 will thereby be disengaged from the teeth of said shank. In order to lock the movable jaw relatively to the stationary jaw so that the relative distance between these two jaws will remain the same while the wrench is being operated to turn a nut or pipe, the dog 20 is moved in a direction away from the shank 10, thereby forcing the dog 21 into engagement with the teeth 11.

Mounted upon the member 6 at the upper end thereof, by means of the screw 24s is a plate spring 23, which is the ordinary plate spring positioned on pipe wrenches of this type.

As is evident from the description and drawings, a device is provided in which the movable jaw may be moved away from the fixed jaw, upon the release. ofthe dog 21 from the shank 10, and the appliance of pressure upwardly againstthe lower end of said shank. As this movable jaw moves away from the fixed or stationary jaw, the teeth which are perpendicular to the shank 10 being in 'constant,mesh with the teeth provided on the member 13, will cause the said member 13'to'rotate', and will thereby wind the helical spring fastened thereto, :and

consequently increase the tension of the said --spring. 'The spring will then have a tendency to restore the member 13 to its original position andthus will cause the shank 10 to move to normal position, thereby causing the movable jaw to approach the stationary The teeth 11 being ratchet teeth will slide i over the dog 21, the end of the said dog en- :between the two jaws. responding to the tension of the helical gaging in its. turn with each succeeding tooth as it passes. "With a device of this kind, in applying the-same :to theobject which is to be operated upon (such as for I instance a pipe or a nut), allithat is necessary is to push the movable aw away from the stationary jaw, and engage the object The member 18 spring16 will then draw the movable jaw toward the fixed jaw, until the object to be operated upon is engaged by'both the fixed and the stationary jaws. To release the wrenchfrom the object which is operated upon, the member 20 is pushed inwardly as already described, which will allow the movable jaw to be free for movement'away from the stationary jaw. In Fig.6 I have 1 shown a modified form'of my construction in'which the means for holding the movable jaw 10in fixed relation to the stationary jaw 7 comprises a dog 21' fixedly mounted wvithin the housing 8, upon the shaftl9.

Fixedly mounted-to the shaft 19 within the housing 8, and projecting laterally from the saidjshaft 19'isan arm or bell crank 28,

one" end of which is pivotally connected to a bar 25, which isprovi'ded with a longitudinal slot 28 and'which has its lower end angularly turned to form the projection 27. Projecting through the slot, which is "provided in the member 25, is'a bolt 26 which is fastened to the member 6, thereby aifordi'ng-slidable movement of the bar 25 relatively to the bolt 26, as will be readily understood. From this arrangement 'it is seen that bypressing the end, 2? toward the stationary jaw 7, that'the dog 21 is released from the teethll thereby allowingthe movable jawlO to be moved away from the-sta-' 'tionary j aw 7 I The utility of, such a device is readily apparent, inasmuch as a wrenchis provided -wh1ch may be ad usted to fit any size nut or pipe'wlthin its range almost instantly, such a device thereby resultingin agreat saving of time. The structure of the device is such as to be durable and efiicientin use and economicalof manufacture. I

Vhile I have illustrated and described the preferred form of construction for carrying; my invention into effect, this is capable of variation and modification without departing from the spirit of the invention. I,therefore, do not wish'to be limited 7 to the precise details of construction set forth, but desire to avail myself of such vari-' ations and modifications as come within the sco e of the appended claims.

I aving described myinvention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: a r

l. wrench comprising a shank having a stationary jaw on the upper end thereof; a movable jaw having a projecting shank provided with teeth on opposite sides, the'teeth on one side being perpendicular to the said shank-andthe teeth on the opposite side being angularly inclined thereto; a sleeve housing embracing said shanks, and mount ed ad acent its upper edge on said stationary jaw a pinionrotatively mounted in said" housing and adapted to mesh with said penpendicular teeth; and resilient means cooperating with said'pinion to move said movable jaw toward said stationary jaw when said movable jaw is moved therefrom; and means for locking said jaws in position; substantially as described.) r

2. A wrench comprising a shank having a stationary jaw on the upper end thereof;

provided'with teeth on opposite sides, the teeth on one side being perpendicular to the said shank, and the teeth on the opposite side being angularly inclined toward said movable jaw; a sleeve housing embracing said shanks and mounted on said stationary jaw;

a pinion rotatively mountedin said housing and adapted to mesh with said perpendicular teeth; resilient 'means. cooperating -a movable. jaw having a projecting shank with said pinion to move said movable jaw toward said stationary jaw when said movledge, to the lowerportion of said stationary jaw; a pinion mounted in said housing and adapted to mesh with said perpendicular =teeth; resilient means cooperating with said pinion to move said movable jaw toward said stationary jaw when said: movable jaw is moved therefrom; means cooperating with said inclined teeth to prevent said movable jaw from being moved away from said stationary jaw, substantially as described.

4:- A wrench comprising a shank having a stationary aw at the upper end thereof; a movable jaw having a projecting shank, having teeth on opposite sides, the teeth on one side being perpendicular to said shank, and the teeth on the opposite side being an gularly inclined to said shank and toward said movable jaw; a sleeve housing embracing said shanks and secured adjacent to its upper edge to the lower portion of said stationary jaw; a pinion mounted in said housing and adapted to mesh with said perpendicular teeth; resilient means cooperating with said pinion to move said movable jaw toward said stationary jaw when said movable jaw is moved therefrom; and means mounted in said housing cooperating with said inclined teeth to prevent said movable jaw from being moved away from said stationary jaw, substantially as described.

5. A. wrench comprising a. shank having a stationary jaw at the upper end thereof; a movable jaw having a projecting shank having teeth on opposite sides, the teeth on one side being perpendicular to, and the teeth on the opposite side being angularly inclined to, said shank; a sleeve housing emb acing said shank and secured adjacent to its upper edge, to the lower portion of said stationary jaw; a pinion mounted in said housing and adapted to mesh with said perpendicular teeth; a helical spring secured to said pinion and adapted, when said pinion is rotated, to restore the same to its original position; and means for locking said jaws in position; substantially as described.

6. A wrench comprising a shank having a stationary jaw at the upper end thereof; a movable jaw having a projecting shank having teeth on opposite sides, the teeth on one side being perpendicular to said shank, and the teeth on the opposite side of said shank being angularly inclined toward said movable jaw; a sleeve housing embracing said shank and being pivotally secured adjacent to its upper edge to the lower portion of said stationary jaw; a pinion mounted in said housing and adapted to mesh with said perpendicular teeth; a helical spring secured to said pinion and adapted, when said pinion is rotated, to restore the same to its original position, and a dog mounted in said housing and engaging with said inclined teeth to prevent said movable jaw being moved away from said stationary aw, substantially as described.

7. A wrench comprising a shank having a stationary jaw at the upper end thereof; a movable jaw having a projecting shank having teeth on opposite sides, the teeth on one side being perpendicular to said shank,

and the teeth on the opposite side of said shank being angularly inclined toward said movable jaw; a sleeve housing embracing said shank and pivotally mounted adjacent to its upper edge to the lower portion of said stationary jaw; a pinion mounted in said housing and adapted to mesh with said per pendicular teeth; a helical spring secured to said pinion and adapted, when said pinion is rotated, to restore the same to its original position, a dog mounted in said housing and engaging with said inclined teeth to prevent said movable jaw from being moved away from said stationary jaw; and a means for releasing said dog from engagement with said teeth, substantially as described.

8. A wrench comprising a shank having a stationary jaw at the upper end thereof; a movable jaw having a projecting shank having teeth on opposite sides, the teeth on one side being perpendicular to said shank, and the teeth on the opposite side being angularly inclined toward said movable aw; a sleeve housing embracing said shanks, and mounted adjacent to its upper edge to the lower portion of said stationary jaw; a pinion mounted in said housing and adapted to mesh with said perpendicular teeth; resilient means cooperating with said pinion to move said movable jaw toward said stationary jaw, when said movable jaw is moved therefrom, and a dog fixedly mounted on a shaft in said housing engaging with said inclined teeth to prevent said movable jaw from being moved away from said stationary jaw, substantially as described.

9. A wrench comprising a shank having a stationary jaw at the upper end thereof; a movable jaw having a projecting shank having teeth on opposite sides, the teeth on one side being perpendicular to said shank, and the teeth on the opposite side being angularly inclined to said shank and toward said movable jaw; a sleeve housing embracing said shanks, and mounted adjacent to its upper edge to the lower portion of said stationary jaw; a pinion mounted in said housing and adapted to mesh with said perpendicular teeth; means cooperating with said pinion to move said movable jaw toward said stationary jaw, when said movable jaw is moved therefrom; and a dog fixedly mounted on a shaft in said housing engaging with said inclined teeth to prevent said movable jaw from being moved away from said stationary aw; and means for releasing said dog from engagement with said inclined teeth, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my ame to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

YVILLIAM J. CARPENTER. Witnesses:

JosnUA R. H. Porrs, HELEN F. LILLIS. 

